Electrode for polymer electrolyte fuel cell

Abstract

An electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a polymer electrolyte membrane, and a catalyst layer provided at at least one side of the polymer electrolyte membrane. The catalyst layer is manufactured by application of a catalyst paste. The catalyst paste contains an electrolytic solution, in which electrolytes of different equivalent weights (EWs) are dissolved, or dispersed, and which the electrolytic solution is dissolved, or dispersed in a dispersing medium and a particle supporting a catalyst having electric conductivity, also dissolved, or dispersed, in the dispersing medium. The catalyst paste is manufactured by blending and dispersing an electrolytic solution in which an electrolyte of a low EW is dissolved, or dispersed, into the dispersing medium to a high level of dispersion, and blending and dispersing an electrolytic solution in which an electrolyte of a high EW is dissolved, or dispersed, into the dispersion medium to a low level of dispersion.

1 . An electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, comprising: 
 a polymer electrolyte membrane; and    a catalyst layer provided at at least one side of the polymer electrolyte membrane,    the catalyst layer manufactured by application of a catalyst paste;    the catalyst paste, containing:    an electrolytic solution, in which electrolytes of different equivalent weights (EWs) are dissolved, or dispersed, and which the electrolytic solution is dissolved, or dispersed in a dispersing medium; and    a particle supporting a catalyst having electric conductivity, also dissolved, or dispersed, in the dispersing medium;    the catalyst paste, manufactured by:    blending and dispersing an electrolytic solution in which an electrolyte of a low EW is dissolved, or dispersed, into the dispersing medium to a high level of dispersion, and blending and dispersing an electrolytic solution in which an electrolyte of a high EW is dissolved, or dispersed, into the dispersion medium to a low level of dispersion.    
   
   
       2 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 an EW of the electrolyte of a low EW is within a range from 700 to 950, and an EW of the electrolyte of a high EW is within a range from 1000 to 1100.    
   
   
       3 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the catalyst paste contains the electrolyte of a low EW in a weight ratio of 1 or less in relation to the electrolyte of a high EW.    
   
   
       4 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the catalyst paste contains the electrolyte of a low EW in a weight ratio of 0.5 or less in relation to the electrolyte of a high EW.    
   
   
       5 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the catalyst paste contains the electrolyte of a low EW in a weight ratio of from 0.1 to 0.4 in relation to the electrolyte of a high EW.    
   
   
       6 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the particle for supporting the catalyst is a catalyst-supporting carbon powder.    
   
   
       7 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 an EW of the electrolyte of a high EW is greater than an EW of the electrolyte of a low EW by 100 or more.    
   
   
       8 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the electrolyte is contained in the electrolytic solution in a weight ratio of from 5 to 20%.    
   
   
       9 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the high level of dispersion is performed with a sand mill.    
   
   
       10 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the low level of dispersion is performed with planetary homogenizing and deforming equipment.    
   
   
       11 . An electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, comprising: 
 a polymer electrolyte membrane; and    a catalyst layer provided on at least one side of the polymer electrolyte membrane,    the catalyst layer having an electrolyte of a low EW located on a surface of the catalyst, and having an electrolyte of a high EW located around the electrolyte of a low EW.    
   
   
       12 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 an EW of the electrolyte of a low EW is within a range from 700 to 950, and an EW of the electrolyte of a high EW is within a range from 1000 to 1100.    
   
   
       13 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 the EW of the electrolyte of a high EW is greater than the EW of the electrolyte of a low EW by 100 or more.    
   
   
       14 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 the catalyst layer manufactured by application of a catalyst paste,    the catalyst paste, containing:    an electrolytic solution, in which electrolytes of different EWs are dissolved or dispersed, and which the electrolytic solution is dissolved or dispersed in a dispersing medium; and    a particle supporting a catalyst having electric conductivity, also dissolved, or dispersed in the dispersing medium;    the catalyst paste, manufactured by:    blending and dispersing the electrolytic solution, in which the electrolyte of a low EW is dissolved, or dispersed, into the dispersing medium to a high level of dispersion; and blending and dispersing the electrolytic solution, in which the electrolyte of a high EW is dissolved, or dispersed, into the dispersion medium to a low level of dispersion.    
   
   
       15 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 14 , wherein 
 the catalyst paste contains the electrolyte of a low EW in a weight ratio of 1 or less in relation to the electrolyte of a high EW.    
   
   
       16 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 14 , wherein 
 the catalyst paste contains the electrolyte of low EW by weight ratio of 0.5 or less to the electrolyte of a high EW.    
   
   
       17 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 14 , wherein 
 the particle for supporting a catalyst is a catalyst-supporting carbon powder.    
   
   
       18 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 14 , wherein 
 the electrolyte is contained in the electrolytic solution in a weight ratio of from 5 to 20%.    
   
   
       19 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 14 , wherein 
 the high level of dispersion is performed with a sand mill.    
   
   
       20 . The electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to  claim 14 , wherein 
 the low level of dispersion is performed with planetary homogenizing and deforming equipment.